Today, the United States Senate passed the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act (S. 283). The bill was introduced by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). This bipartisan legislation aims to combat illegal fishing activities related to red snapper and tuna.
The bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a standard method for identifying the country of origin for these fish species imported into the U.S. Current technology can chemically test many foods’ geographic origins, but not red snapper or tuna. The proposed field test kit would help law enforcement determine if fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters, enabling them to confiscate illegally caught fish before they enter U.S. markets.
The act was reintroduced in January and moved out of the Senate Commerce Committee in February, co-sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
Senator Cruz stated: “Hardworking Texas fishermen in the Gulf of America are being undercut by cartel-backed entities who illegally catch and smuggle red snapper into U.S. markets, using profits to fund other illicit activities. I am proud to lead the fight on this bipartisan legislation to crack down on these corrupt operations, stand up for Texas fishermen, and protect our communities.”
Senator Schatz added: “Seafood that’s caught illegally or intentionally mislabeled rips off consumers and makes it harder for law-abiding U.S. fishermen to compete.”
Illegal fishing has been an ongoing issue where Mexican fishermen use small boats called “lanchas” to cross maritime borders between Texas and Mexico to catch red snapper unlawfully in U.S waters before returning them mixed with legally-caught fish back into Mexico.
Last year saw significant seizures by the Coast Guard from Mexican lanchas totaling over 18 tons of illegal catches; as of June this year alone more than 50 arrests have occurred alongside thousands seized pounds further highlighting resource protection needs.
In Hawaii too commercial fisheries face challenges combating illegal unreported unregulated IUU fishing alongside human trafficking within their industry violating both national international regulations alike.
Previously similar bills led by Sens.Cruz,Britt,Tuberville passed through commerce committee during last Congress July session
